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Police seek witnesses after multiple pedestrians hit by car

Steve
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Police seek witnesses after multiple pedestrians hit by car

A crowd of people outside NBs in Bridge Street Northampton were hit by a car that didn’t stop in the early hours of this morning (Thursday).

It happened after some kind of argument took place in the street. A second collision in Weedon Road is also being investigated when a car was hit and the driver left the scene on foot.

Northamptonshire Police have released the following statement:

Detectives investigating the circumstances of a collision between a car and a group of pedestrians in Northampton are appealing for information and witnesses.

At 4.22am this morning, Thursday, September 16, Northamptonshire Police received multiple calls reporting a number of people in Bridge Street, close to NB’s, had been struck by a car which then left the scene.

At least five people were injured, four of whom were taken to Northampton General Hospital. Three are believed to have non-life-threatening injuries and the fourth is being assessed for a head injury.

It is believed the collision happened after a verbal altercation between people in the street, and is being treated as an isolated incident.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene, and reopened shortly before 8.30am.

A further report of a single-vehicle collision outside shops in Weedon Road, in Sixfields, was reported to the Force at 4.33am, with searches underway for the driver, who left the scene on foot.

Anyone with any information about either collision is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Incident number: 21000537920

When pupils don’t show up for class what is really going wrong?

Steve
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When pupils don’t show up for class what is really going wrong?

Pupils who are persistently absent from school may not just be playing truant, a new Wellinborough company is warning.

Teachers and education professionals are being asked to look deeper into the reasons for non-attendance in case there is an underlying problem that needs tackling.

Neurodiversity expert, Jannine Perryman and former primary school teacher Louise Parker-Engels are calling for more to be done to investigate the reasons behind poor attendance.

The duo believes a lack of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) training for new and experienced teachers, a limited professional experience of attendance difficulties and an ever changing, narrowing curriculum coupled with constraints on time and resources can mean that children do not receive the early interventions they need.

Jannine, the CEO and founder of ADHD-WISE UK, a Wellingborough-based community interest company which offers a training and consultancy SEND service for educational settings and workplaces, said: “The end of the school holidays brings mixed feelings, whilst some welcome a return to school and work, others are bracing themselves for a return to their child’s term time distressing mornings – refusal to get up, get dressed, to go to school or explosive outbursts when they get home.”

Children that present with tummy aches, headaches, high levels of distress or anxiety are at risk of becoming persistent absentees.

Louise said: “A number of these children may also demonstrate a serious decline in mental health – with potentially tragic consequences.”

In a bid to highlight the seriousness of the situation and reach those who may be able to influence a positive change, the duo have issued their advice and findings in SEN Magazine – the UK’s leading publication for special education needs.

Jannine said: “When it comes to poor attendance schools and local authorities need to be looking beyond the absence for the reason behind it asking, ‘why are they refusing to attend school? Or ‘why are they unable to attend?’

“Schools have clear, high expectations for attendance so persistent absence is a clear cause for concern, not only for the school and Ofsted, but for the child’s educational outcomes.

“Parents report that in their experience the school response has been to focus on either attendance difficulties being put down to parenting or family expectations or on a child’s mental health without looking at the underlying reasons.

“Recent government guidance on improving attendance makes numerous references to ‘barrier to attendance’. This and other relevant guidance shifts some of the focus from parenting or child mental health to looking at the bigger picture – encouraging schools and LA’s to understand why children are struggling to attend. This suggests they may not be choosing or refusing – rather, they can’t attend without the support they need and that’s where schools and local authorities are needed to investigate and address that need.”

Government statistics show that children with additional needs are less likely to attend school regularly. In fact pupils with an SEN statement or education healthcare (EHC) plan had a persistent absence rate of 24.6 per cent – more than twice the rate of students with no identified SEN (0.9 per cent).

ADHD WISE UK offers a range of expert services and support for children and adults all over the country with an extensive range of conditions including ADHD, autism, and dyslexia from its base in Silver Street, Wellingborough. Skills training, coaching and counselling can be provided for individuals and families as well as screening for children and adults.

To find out more information about ADHD WISE UK visit: https://www.adhdwise.uk or email info@adhdwise.co.uk or call 01933 222940.

Take a deep dive into new dramas created in Northampton

Nene Quirer
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Take a deep dive into new dramas created in Northampton

Royal & Derngate today announces four further productions to complete its 2021/22 Made in Northampton season. A new production of Joe Penhall’s biting contemporary satire Blue/Orange is brought to the stage this autumn by the producing team behind Ralph Fiennes’ hugely successful Four Quartets which is soon to transfer to the West End. Giles Terera and Michael Balogun will collaborate with Artistic Director James Dacre with original music by Valgeir Sigurðsson of Bedroom Community. The venue then premieres The Wellspring, an autobiographic work from playwright Barney Norris and his father David Owen Norris, directed by Jude Christian. The venue’s previously announced production of An Improbable Musical will then premiere with a cast including Niall Ashdown, Ruth Bratt, Adam Courting, Josie Lawrence and Janet Etuk. 

This autumn also sees Royal & Derngate’s artist development programme Generate host a festival of new work and present 60 Miles by Road or Rail chronicling the recent history of Northampton Town. Meanwhile, the venue’s charity compilation album Incidental: Music for the Stage, will be released on 24 September on CD and all major streaming platforms. 

A Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Oxford Playhouse and Theatre Royal Bath Productions Co-Production, Blue/Orange will open at Theatre Royal Bath, from 29 October to 13 November, with a press night on Wednesday 3 November, before transferring to Oxford Playhouse, and then coming home to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate from Tuesday 23 November to Saturday 4 December. 

Twenty years after Joe Penhall’s (Mindhunter, The Road) ground-breaking Blue/Orange premiered, he collaborates with co-creators Giles Terera (winner of the 2018 Olivier Award for Hamilton), Michael Balogun (Death Of England, National Theatre) and Royal Derngate’s Artistic Director James Dacre (2020 Olivier Award Nominee Our Lady Of Kibeho) on a brand new production shining new light upon this incendiary interrogation of power and privilege in modern Britain. The play won the Olivier, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard awards for Best New Play in 2001.

Giles Terera said: “I vividly remember how fired up and moved I was watching Joe Penhall’s extraordinary play when it premiered. I believe the play can speak to us just as much, if not more so now as it did then. Getting to explore its themes of identity, mental health, race and a power struggle at the heart of the NHS alongside Michael Balogun is something I’m very excited about.”

The creative team includes Francesca Murray-Fuentes as Associate Director, Simon Kenny as Designer, Tony Gayle as Sound Designer, Valgeir Sigurðsson as composer and Hazel Holder and Ellie Manners as Voice and Dialect Coach. 

This production will be accompanied by a far-reaching programme of film screenings, workshops and creative activities in healthcare and community settings. 

The Wellspring, written by Barney Norris and David Owen Norris and directed by Jude Christian (OthelloMacbeth, Lyric Hammersmith; Dick Whittington, National Theatre) can be seen at Royal & Derngate Northampton from Thursday 17 to Saturday 26 March 2022. This timely and intimate work in progress from award-winning playwright Barney Norris (The Remains of the Day) and his father, the internationally acclaimed pianist and broadcaster David Owen Norris, examines that age-old story of a boy and his dad, and how they can relate to one another, in every sense of the word.

A deeply humane autobiographical exploration of their relationship, The Wellspring takes us inside the complex and shifting dynamic between this father and son, exploring the people and stories that shape us. Their performances will be accompanied by exquisite music performed by David.

Over the last three years, with the support of Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence fund, Royal & Derngate has been leading a consortium including China Plate, Improbable, Mercury Musical Developments, Musical Theatre Network, Perfect Pitch and Scottish Opera, to develop original new musicals. Following on from the recent success of Gin Craze!, a brand new musical by April De Angelis and Lucy Rivers, which premiered at Royal & Derngate in July, legendary improvised theatre company Improbable return to their roots with An Improbable Musical which takes to the Royal stage in Northampton from Friday 25 February to Saturday 5 March.

Improbable are maestros of improvised theatre, who for three decades have created make-it-up-as-you-go-along shows that have captivated audiences across the world from off-Broadway to the National Theatre. It might be hilarious or heart-breaking, anarchic or eerily atmospheric but their first ever improvised musical aims to spin theatrical magic out of thin air. This is essential viewing for anyone who likes their theatre as live as it gets.

Directed by co-artistic director of Improbable Lee Simpson and designed by E Mallin Parry, An Improbable Musical is a Royal & Derngate Northampton and Improbable co-production. Alex Murdoch in the Associate Director, with lighting design by Colin Grenfell, sound design by Adrienne Quartly, and movement direction by Pauline Mayers.

Through its Generate artist development programme, Royal & Derngate continues to support and nurture talent as a vital part of its creative work, engaging with both emerging and established artists in many ways, including an online artists network, workshops, social events, festivals, advice surgeries, rehearsal space and funding application support. Following the success of Gen Fest online events over the last year, the Generate artist development programme will present a week-long festival this autumn, showcasing the work of Generate artists who have worked closely with the venue to create new work.

A project supported in its development by Royal & Derngate’s Generate scheme, 60 Miles by Road or Rail is being presented on the Royal stage from Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 September. The production explores the development of Northampton as a New Town from the 1960s, and is accompanied by further arts, heritage and community events. It features Subika Anwar-Khan, Jo Blake, Helen Crevel, Davin Eadie, Dan McGarry and Bianca Mulligan, is written by Ryan Leder and directed by Andy Routledge  

As previously announced, Royal & Derngate and Atlantic Screen Music are releasing a contemporary classical and electronic music album, Incidental: Music for the Stage, on Friday 24 September. Raising funds to support the theatre as it recovers from the impact of the pandemic, the album features original compositions commissioned over the last decade by Royal & Derngate for Made in Northampton productions. 

Composers include Number 1 selling musicians White Lies, Guy Chambers and These New Puritans; Oscar and Grammy award winning film composers Rachel Portman and Anne Dudley; leading opera composer Orlando Gough, British Bhangra pioneer Kuljit Bhamra, ground-breaking classical and electronic composers Isobel Waller-Bridge and Valgeir Sigurðsson, pioneering rock musicians James Johnston and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and 2020 Ivor Novello Award winner Renell Shaw. The compositions are accompanied by narration and monologues from the plays and novels which inspired them, directed by Dacre and read by some of the world’s most celebrated stage actors, with accompanying sound design to give a sense of the original staged work. For more information or to order go to www.incidentalmusicforthestage.com. 

Royal & Derngate Northampton is the main venue for arts and entertainment in Northamptonshire and one of the major regional producing theatres in the country, with its acclaimed Made in Northampton work touring nationally and internationally. The Made in Northampton season is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jeweller.
More information about forthcoming productions can be found on the theatre’s website, www.royalandderngate.co.uk. Tickets for Blue/Orange and The Wellspring go on-sale to priority bookers from Tuesday 14 September, with a general on-sale from Friday 17 September.

How weightlifting helped a former Britain’s Strongest Woman research hidden Nazis

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How weightlifting helped a former Britain’s Strongest Woman research hidden Nazis

When it comes to brains and brawn, University of Northampton researcher Siobhán Hyland is tough to beat.

The 30-something from Northampton, who was once Britain’s Strongest Woman, now splits her time between competitive weightlifting and delving into the backgrounds of Nazi war criminals.

Siobhán’s in the thick of her PhD, which looks at Nazi war criminals who came to live in Britain after the Second World War and the Searchlight anti-fascist group which wanted to expose them living on our shores.

When she’s not hitting the books, Siobhán spends her time training, competing in and coaching Olympic weightlifting – and she’s found it’s the perfect release after spending hours researching the lives of war criminals.

“As a historian we are taught to look at things objectively and with a critical eye,” said Siobhán.

“But, a day looking at genocide photographs can be tough, so getting into the gym and throwing some weights around does really help.”

She added: “I went to watch the 2012 Olympics in London and watched the 87kg+ women Olympic weightlifters and was impressed. I decided to take up the sport to de-stress from my PhD and I have used it for my well-being ever since.”

Siobhán picked up a medal in her first national competitive outing in the sport, taking bronze at the virtual British Olympic Weightlifting Championships, this summer. The achievement’s even more impressive, given the disruption the pandemic has had on her training regime.

“In lockdown I had to find places to train as the gym was closed,” she said. “I did have my coaching sessions via Zoom, but I needed a venue. I used my garden, my conservatory and the local garden centre very kindly let me use their car park out of hours. I am glad no one was there to see me.”

Siobhán, who is a vegan, has previously held the titles of Britain’s Strongest Woman, Highland Games Champion, and was also a World Strongwoman Championship competitor.

She said: “I remember going to my gym, Unit 22 in Northampton, and asking for a coaching session in Olympic weightlifting. The coach kept asking me whether I had lifted before, and as he put more and more weights on, I said I hadn’t, but I was the strongest woman in Britain!”

“It just goes to show that you are never too old to start a new sport,” said Siobhán, who competes in the masters age group (35-39) and the 87kg+ women’s class.  

“If you have determination, drive and commitment you can do it. That goes for a PhD as well. The latest Olympics in Tokyo showed there were more female lifters in the British squad, so Olympic weightlifting is getting more popular with women, and I would recommend any student to try it.”

Cycle 4 Cynthia returns on Sunday and the Solstice Ride comes a week later

Steve
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Cycle 4 Cynthia returns on Sunday and the Solstice Ride comes a week later

Two of the county’s popular cycling events return in the next fortnight after last year’s versions were disrupted by Covid.

Cycle 4 Cynthia is at Lamport Hall on Sunday offering 50 and 25 mile routes, then a week later on Saturday 25 the Solstice Ride for mountain-bikers departs from the Pomfret Arms with just one 60 mile (100km) route.

In 2020 both events published routes that riders could follow individually in their own time but this year the grand departures are back.

Cycle 4 Cynthia is one of the main fund-raising events for Cynthia Spencer Hospice while the Solstice 100 is organised by two-wheeled Northampton adventurers Mtb Epics who also create other routes around the country. The Solstice 100 donates to Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

Find out more about Cycle 4 Cynthia here

Find out more about the Solstice Ride here

Who do you want to be laughing at next week?

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Who do you want to be laughing at next week?

A great run of comedy gigs continues at Royal & Derngate with another week of top performances kicked off by David Baddiel on Monday 27 September, Geoff Norcott on Tuesday 28 September, Jonathan Pie on Friday 1 October, and two home performances from Andrew Bird on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 October.

Following his five-star, Olivier-nominated hit, My Family: Not the Sitcom, David Baddiel returns to the stage with a new one-man show, Trolls: Not the Dolls. David has stories to tell of the dark, terrible and hysterically absurd cyber-paths that interacting with on-line trolls have let him down. 

David Baddiel

Geoff Norcott’s fourth national tour, I Blame the Parents, brings him to Royal & Derngate for the first time, with a brand new show that will mostly explore personal responsibility, parenting and who should take the blame when things go wrong. 

Geoff Norcott

Jonathan Pie’s acclaimed sell-out show Fake News finally returns, updated and remixed for a post-Corona world. After months stuck in lockdown, Jonathan, the exasperated news reporter whose videos regularly go viral, returns to the road to discuss how Corona has changed the world… and his career prospects.

Following a successful debut tour culminating at The Leicester Square Theatre and a recording of a sold out hometown gig, Andrew Bird is back with a brand new show, Invincible. Andrew grew up in Towcester, Northants, and the first comedy night he ever went to, two days before turning 18, was Screaming Blue Murder, the comedy club night at Royal & Derngate. He has since regularly appeared at the night himself and supported Rhod Gilbert and Rob Brydon in the main theatre.

After the traumatic event of seeing revered, legendary comedian Ian Cognito literally die on stage of a heart attack in front of him and the fall out making global news, Andrew says it’s hard to take anything seriously. His show features brutally honest stand-up with free-flowing stories and opinions on Prince Andrew learning Slovakian, “millennial grandparents” and how the people you look up to seem invincible. 
More information can be found on the theatre’s website www.royalandderngate.co.uk and tickets can be booked online or by calling Box Office on 01604 624811.

Pictures from a firecracker friendly at Franklin’s Gardens

Steve
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Pictures from a firecracker friendly at Franklin’s Gardens

Northampton followed up last week’s away win at Bedford with a home win over Ospreys to deliver a 100 per cent pre-season win record.

Although it’s not cool to brag about the score of friendlies there was a fizz to some of the encounters on the pitch which spilled over into pushing, shirt gripping, fixed grins and tiger-eyed forehead touching.

However both sides can go away having seen some pleasing outbursts of skill from their players and some wake-up slaps for their defences.

Pictures by Dave Ikin

With rolling substitutions taking place George Furbank was back for another stint at 10 with James Grayson joining the action during the second half. There is sure to be plenty of work ahead for these two talented footballers.

The home fans got their first look at the South African 8 Juarno Augustus who put in a solid shift alongside the more familiar faces of Tom Wood, Teimana Harrison and Captain Lewis Ludlam who scored a try.

Tom Collins has enjoyed a lively pre-season and followed up his scores at Bedford with two more against the Welshmen.

The dying seconds saw Saints proving that their defence can do the job and they held on for a win that felt deserved.

Nene Valley Festival celebrates 5000 years of life along the river

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Nene Valley Festival celebrates 5000 years of life along the river

As the tide of Covid 19 begins to turn and life returns to normal across the area, residents of Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and beyond are invited to celebrate this year’s Nene Valley Festival from September 11 – 19.

With more than 70 events planned, the collaboration between North Northamptonshire Council, Destination Nene Valley, Nenescape Landscape Partnership and the National Lottery Heritage Fund will flood the area with a celebration of the heritage, culture and natural landscape that weaves through the rich countryside connecting Northampton and Peterborough.

Events range from farmers markets in the stunning market town of Oundle, to live music, exhibitions, family fun and heritage fairs, so residents and visitors to the Nene will find something for everyone throughout the festival.

Events will begin at Stanwick Lakes on September 11 with a celebration of the Settlers of the Nene project, which over the last few years has uncovered and interpreted the stories of the valley dating back 5,000 years. On Sunday September 19 expect a medieval encampment and family fun heritage activities such as archery, leather and coin stamping to build a picture of what life was really like when the Nene was first settled.

The highlight of the festival this year will be the premiere of “The Resilience of the Nene” during the festival; a short film by One to One Development Trust that gives insight into what destinations along the River Nene contribute to the wellbeing of communities, how they are improving the natural environment, and celebrating local heritage during the covid pandemic and for future generations.

The film features Northampton Marina, ecology work in Wellingborough, the Chester House Estate, Barnwell Country Park, Nene Park and the Nene Valley Railway. 

Opening day of the 2018 Nene Valley Festival

Cllr Helen Howell, Deputy Leader and Executive Member and North Northamptonshire Council for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “We are delighted to be delivering the Nene Valley Festival once again this year. The event will offer a diverse range of activities, which will inspire people to connect with the wildlife and heritage of the Nene Valley. The festival is spread over nine days with a variety of events throughout our region, there is something out there for everyone. We hope that our residents and visitors have a fantastic time celebrating everything that the local area has to offer.”

Amanda Johnson, Project Manager for Nenescape said: “It has been a really tough 18-months on our projects but I am so proud of the work we have achieved in that time; from creating floating islands on the river at Wellingborough with the River Nene Regional Park and The Environment Agency to installing a new mooring at Chester House, the River Nene and its destinations are coming into their own and will only attract more and more people to celebrate our wonderful and unique landscape.”

The festival will culminate in the Heritage Family Fun Day at Rushden Lakes on September 19.

Community groups and attractions in the area that are interested in running an event during the festival can still apply for grants of up to £500 via the Nene Valley website and a decision will be made within three days of your application. Applications are limited to one per event.

For more information on events throughout the festival, visit the Destination Nene Valley website www.nenevalley.net

Northampton County Beer Festival is underway

Steve
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Northampton County Beer Festival is underway

Local legend has it that the Saintly Thomas Becket was given succour from a spring in Becket’s Park as he fled the wrath of the King of England.

If he had been making his escape today he would have been able to stop off at Northampton County Beer Festival which is underway at the park.

Visitors can enjoy some of the finest craft ales and ciders available to mankind at the event which this year has switched from its usual June timeslot due to the pandemic.

Music planned for the event is as follows:

Friday

  • 5 – 6 Sara Spade Trio – Ukulele Songstress
  • 6 – 7 Fleetwood Cave – Folk and trad songs
  • 7 – 8 The Tickets – 60s pop and rock covers
  • 8 – 9:15 LeBurn Maddox – International soul guitarist
  • 9:15 – 10:30 The 2Tones – Ska legends

Saturday

  • 1 – 2 Raunds Brass Band – Brass tunes
  • 2 – 3 Lougie Manouche – Jazz Soul
  • 3 – 4 Dansmall – Violin and Guitar folk
  • 4 – 5 Sky Flood – Ambient Indie
  • 5 – 6 ProJect Now – Reggae/blues/dance
  • 6 – 7 King’s Gambit – Folk Rock
  • 7 – 8 Century City – Rhythm and Blues
  • 8 – 9:15 The Bighead – This is Ska
  • 9:15 – 10:30 Repro Jam Squad – Soul Funk Review

Get your tickets online for fast track entry: https://bit.ly/3msJtXt
Adults: £6.50 + booking fee
Kids: £3 + booking feeOn the gate: £7

Check out the event on Facebook here

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